I am finding that Lamentations is a fascinating Old Testament book. The first chapter is very specific to the destruction of the Holy Temple and the sacking of Jerusalem. The words ‘Zion’, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Judah’ are used eight times in the first 17 verses, and pronouns such as ‘she’ and ‘her’, referring to Jerusalem are used repeatedly. As historically specific as this chapter is there are many verses that transcend time and culture. “My transgressions were bound into a yoke… they weigh on my neck sapping my strength.” (verse 14) If we’re willing to have a moment of transparency, we’ve all been there; done something we feel awful about and can’t seem to fix, forget or forgive. And who can’t relate to verse 16: “For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage…” This verse is as relevant in post Newtown 2013 as it was in 850 BC. Perhaps the most universal and timeless phrase is in verse 18, “for the Lord is in the right.” Like Job before him, Jeremiah doesn’t demand that the Creator explain himself to his creation. God is right, he says, because that is God’s nature.
Chapter two gets more specific about the destruction brought on Jerusalem. In various verses, Jeremiah tells the reader: God destroyed the dwelling places, cut down Israel’s might, destroyed its palaces, laid its strongholds in ruins, sunk the gates into the ground and much more. But in verse 11, the focus changes. Jeremiah writes from a more personal viewpoint: “My eyes are spent with weeping; my stomach churns; my bile is poured out on the ground because of the destruction of my people, because infants and babes faint in the streets of the city.”
Jeremiah could have taken a ‘ho-hum’ attitude. He could have said, “For the Lord is always right, so get over it”; or he could have said, “This is God’s judgment so you get what you deserve. Deal with it.” But he doesn’t. His heart breaks. Where is this compassion today? In my previous blog, I discussed my views on the role of God’s judgment on nations today under the New Testament. But even if God were to punish nations today through earthquakes or random acts of violence as some say He still does, are the modern ‘prophets’ weeping for those effected? More often, it seems, they come across as smug and superior.
Chapter three takes the same form as many of David’s Psalms. It starts with extremely somber images. It starts with Jeremiah saying, “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.” This tone continues and escalates to verse 19, where he says, “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.” But he doesn’t leave the reader in despair. One of the greatest statements of faith in all of Scripture - and chorus of a popular modern worship song - is contained in verses 22 and 23, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Somehow, in one of the biggest crisis in Israel’s history, Jeremiah is able to continue to proclaim God’s love and faithfulness. This is true faith. It’s easy to praise God when things are good, but to continue to praise when nothing is going right demonstrates a sincere trust and commitment that is unshakable.
Next, I will blog about the remainder of the book of Lamentations and how it inspired a new SCJ routine.